Spriegel central to Surrey success

Matthew’s Spriegel’s all-round excellence propelled Surrey to the top of Group B in the Clydesdale Bank 40 and dented Nottinghamshire’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

A used pitch gave both sets of bowlers plenty of assistance, especially the spinners, but Spriegel’s innings of 47 was key after he had earlier opened the bowling and returned 2-21 from eight overs.

The hosts’ 149 all out had looked substantially short of being competitive as Jade Dernbach, who claimed 3-39, and Gareth Batty also enjoyed success.

However, early wickets for Harry Gurney, together with a tight spell from Steven Mullaney, dragged Notts back into the contest, until Spriegel hit three fours and two big sixes in a 61-ball stay to help guide Surrey home with four wickets and 23 balls to spare.

Matthew Spriegel played a key role for Surrey at Trent Bridge. After returning 2-21, he underpinned a successful run-chase with 47

It meant a happy return for Rory Hamilton-Brown, playing his first game since taking a break from action following the tragic death of team-mate and close friend Tom Maynard.

Visiting skipper Batty’s decision to bowl first soon proved wise as Notts were reduced to 52 for four by the 10th over.

Michael Lumb was bowled trying to cut Spriegel, who also had Riki Wessels caught at short midwicket.

In between, Samit Patel top-edged Dernbach to long-leg before the paceman returned to oust Alex Hales as the opener drove loosely to Zander de Bruyn at point.

It was left to Adam Voges and Chris Read to rebuild the innings; they shared a stand of 67, yet it took 18 overs to put together and contained just one boundary.

Voges - Notts’ top-scorer with 36 - was eventually caught at slip by Gary Wilson off Murali Kartik, and the final six wickets fell for 30 runs in eight overs.

Surrey were immediately in trouble at three for two in their reply as Gurney removed Hamilton-Brown and Jason Roy with successive balls; the latter fell to a brute of a lifter.

Steven Davies and Wilson calmed the visitors’ nerves with a partnership of 60 from 14 overs before the former skied Mullaney’s fourth ball to Voges.

Wilson followed, stumped by Read off Graeme White, and de Bruyn also fell cheaply, but Spriegel kept Surrey ahead of the required run-rate.

The left-hander missed out on a fifty when he tried to smash White for a second successive maximum, only to be caught on the ropes by Wessels at deep square-leg.

However, he had already done enough and Zafar Ansari and Batty swiftly completed the formalities.